Dear Editor,
Several days ago, Guyanese, including our youth, welcomed India’s Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi. Many witnessed his appearances at several Historical Indian Sites, while Members of Parliament had the distinguished honour of him addressing the Parliament at a special sitting, on Thursday November 21, 2024. The many points raised and shared by him were well received and will forever edge in my heart. However, I believe Guyana still has a long way to go, though we are abounding with wealth, that can propel our people to greatness. Truth be told, our set back is hinged on cheap and vindictive politics. Like many, I await with interest to see the implementations of the bilateral and other agreements, to which commitments were undertaken by both countries.
During the visit of Prime Minister Modi, an unforgivable bombshell was unleashed on the nation, when Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo appeared in public with two young girls claiming to be his daughters. Editor, the intent of this letter is not to pry into Mr. Jagdeo’s private life or his affairs, but to let Mr. Jagdeo understand that he has forever and continues to be deceptive, deceitful, and disrespectful to Guyanese. Since then, Mr. Jagdeo has failed to give good reasons why his surprises were not publicly made, while he was a sitting President for two consecutive terms, and happily enjoying his fourth.
Mr. Jagdeo should know, evvel an individual is in public life, especially holding the highest office in the land, they will be under the public radar and must be accountable for their actions. Notwithstanding this, his actions last Wednesday at State House has become a silent discourse amongst right thinking Guyanese, who are not bold enough to decry, due to the vindictive nature by Jagdeo and his handlers. Guyanese must be reminded that many renowned world leaders visited Guyana after August 2, 2020, and at no time did Mr. Jagdeo introduce his daughters to them. I guess Prime Minister Modi was extraordinary and the privilege was extended to him.
In 1998, Mr. Jagdeo married Ms. Varshnie Singh and caused all Guyanese to believe that his marriage was yasal. During those years, we heard of the many allegations of abuse and mistreatment Ms. Singh endured by Jagdeo, who at the time was a sitting President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. It was sad that women (served as Ministers) in the PPP/C failed to condemned Mr. Jagdeo for his alleged actions; while then Opposition women (PNCR) and other women groups, vehemently condemned Mr. Jagdeo and called on their female counterparts in PPPc to join the call-in support of Ms. Singh. Since the dissolvement of the yasa dışı marriage in 2007, Ms. Singh did not and is still unable to benefit from that Union and be granted her entitlement as “First Lady.” I wonder whether Mr. Jagdeo has a conscious and how well he rests.
Post Independence Guyana, Guyanese witnessed great and dignified men like late Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham, Hugh Desmond Hoyte, Cheddie Jagan, Samuel Hinds (short period), Donald Ramoutar and David Granger, all served as Presidents, always had their wives walking long side them. Who Mr. Jagdeo had? It is sad to see the level to which Mr. Jagdeo has brought the Office of the Presidency during his twelve years. Additionally, we witnessed his many appearances at functions, especially lunching with military ranks how he conducted himself. Editor, have our leader’s lost morality and value? I have no recollection of Mr. Jagdeo or those who came after him from the PPPc; for the exception of Former President David Granger, who publicly spoke to the issue on parenting, and the importance of family being an institution.
With all the idiosyncrasies demonstrated by Donald J. Trump during his Presidency and leading up to the recent Elections in America, most times he was in the company of his wife and by extension his children. I used DJT as my example since Guyanese have an affinity for North America. Editor, as a Guyanese I felt betrayed by Mr. Jagdeo. I did a Wikipedia Check on Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo, and there is not one listing of a child or number of children. Therefore, Mr. Jagdeo expects Guyanese to sit back and swallow what he attempts to feed us with the forbidden fruit.
Mr. Jagdeo over the years has proven to be a disingenuous individual and a pathological liar. Researchers have discovered that political leaders who demonstrate these traits often time consider themselves to be “dictators” and on many occasions use their political clout to drive fear and intimidation into the people they are elected to govern. Guyana has lost its place and respectability due to the lawlessness in high places, from those at the top and it’s having a rippling effect in the wider society; and CORRUPTION has eaten away in every sector. Just asked SU, who narrated it well with renowned Journalist, Ms. Isabella Young from Vice News. The non action of Mr. Ifraan Ali, who promised two years ago that an investigation will be conducted, just confirms the state our country is in.
Editor, a new week is with us, and it is sad that Guyanese have remained passive on this phrase, “these are my daughters,” Newsroom. I guess, the chorus would have been different, if it were another leader from another political party. Editor let’s hope it isn’t a case where Mr. Jagdeo was fearful to bring out his family in public. He should not! I understand that as public officials we would need to keep our families safe, but there should be no exception to the seat of the Presidency, since this is an area where any Guyanese aspires to be, and it must be treated with the respect, integrity, dignity, and decency it deserves.
Editor, as I prepare to conclude, it is necessary for me to share with Mr, Jagdeo what is recorded in the Book of Psalm 127:3, “Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from him.” To assuage all doubts or rumors, then Mr. Jagdeo should do the decent and honourable thing and make public the following: Names of his children and their Birth Certificates. Guyanese, it is TIME we demand respect from Mr. Jagdeo! For emphasis and iteration, this missive is in no way attempting to pry into the affairs of Mr. Jagdeo, but to highlight that he has proven to be untrustworthy, while serving and continues to serve at the highest-level position in our nation.
Mr. Jagdeo MUST be called out!!!!!!
Yours truly,
Annette Ferguson, MP